Is swaddling a newborn essential—or outdated? In this bite-sized episode, we unravel The Great Swaddle Debate by breaking down the why, when, and how of swaddling. Drawing on expert guidance from Red Nose Australia, personal parenting experience, and client insights, we explore the pros and cons of swaddling, when to stop, and how to make smooth transitions that support both your baby’s development and sleep.

From the science behind the startle reflex to tips on choosing the right wrap—and what to do when your baby "hates" the swaddle—we cover it all. We also offer step-by-step guidance for transitioning to arms-out sleeping, handling regressions, and navigating those first few months with gentleness and flexibility. Spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Whether you’re a swaddle loyalist, a curious questioner, or ready to ditch the wrap, this episode will help you feel more confident in meeting your baby right where they’re at—with calm, intention, and care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why swaddling can soothe an overstimulated nervous system
• When (and how) to transition out of the swaddle safely
• How to support your baby’s sleep while honouring their development
• Red Nose Australia guidelines for swaddling and safe sleep
• Tools and timing for different swaddling stages (wraps, ergo pouch, Love to Dream, etc.)
• Tips for gradually unswaddling—without chaos

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 68 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

In this refreshingly honest episode of Thriving Parenting, we’re joined by the incredible Sarah Chelle, a warm and science-savvy naturopath who helps frazzled, fatigued women feel vibrant and alive again—without fad diets or guilt.

Together, we unravel the misunderstood truth about cortisol—a hormone often blamed but rarely understood—and explore how its dysregulation is impacting mums beyond the newborn phase. From why you might feel more tired after finally getting some sleep, to what Sarah calls the “cortisol crash”, this episode brings compassionate insight into the biology behind maternal exhaustion.

Sarah breaks down five of the most common (and commonly missed) reasons mums feel constantly drained, including:

1. Sleep deprivation
2. Cortisol dysregulation (low cortisol, not high!)
3. Iron deficiency
4. Protein/calorie deficiencies
5. Postpartum thyroiditis

You’ll learn how to distinguish between “normal tiredness” and when it’s time to investigate deeper, plus easy, actionable tips for rebuilding energy—like nap strategies, vitamin C & magnesium support, and adjusting workouts to your body's true needs.

Whether you’re feeling snappy, foggy, or just not quite you, this episode is a permission slip to pause, check in, and finally put your own wellbeing on the priority list.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

• A new, empowering understanding of cortisol and its role in your body.
• Clarity on why sleep isn’t always the fix for your fatigue.
• The signs of deeper energy imbalances—and what to test for.
• Holistic, mum-friendly strategies to start feeling like yourself again.

Connect with Sarah Chelle:

Website: sarahchelle.com

Instagram: @sarah_chelle_

Podcast: The Healthiest & Happy Podcast

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 67 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

Welcome back, Thrivers! This episode is your permission slip to finally prioritise you—and not just in theory. This is part two of a powerful two-part series on reclaiming your energy and recharging your parenting battery, not out of guilt, but out of necessity. If you haven’t caught part one yet, pause and go back—it’s a must-listen foundation on recognising the signs of depletion and why recharging matters.

In part two, we get practical and actionable. This is where the real change begins.

Host Jen shares her real-life strategies and lived experience as a mum navigating the messy, beautiful chaos of parenthood. You’ll walk away with:

Quick top-ups that take five minutes or less (think: intentional sips of tea, grounding breathwork, or barefoot moments in nature).

Intentional pauses—daily maintenance rituals to prevent burnout before it starts.

Long-term deposits like therapy, solo time, and setting boundaries that give your energy back tenfold.

This isn’t a list of things to "add to your to-do list"—this is an invitation to try what fits you. You’ll hear about:

The power of dancing in the kitchen with your kids

The magic of putting your phone down and picking up your joy

Why a red light sauna + ice bath date changed everything for Jen and her partner

Creating a life where joy, presence, and calm aren’t a luxury—they’re the baseline

Whether you’re down to your last bar or looking to maintain the charge you’ve got, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to give yourself the care you’ve been giving everyone else.

Ready to plug in and fill your cup your way? Tune in now and grab what you need—ASAP.

🧡 P.S. Want to surround yourself with others doing the same? The Thriving Together membership is open and ready to welcome you. Join the community that gets it. You’re not meant to do this alone.

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 66 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of Thriving Parenting, we ask a surprising but vital question: Are you parenting on 1% battery? Host Jen invites you to reflect on your emotional and physical energy like you would the charge on your phone — and what happens when you try to run everything on empty.

Using the clever metaphor of a mobile phone, we explore what it really means to be depleted, how your “body budget” gets drained, and why the constant grind isn’t a reflection of your worth — it’s a sign you need to recharge.

If you’ve ever snapped at your kids over spilled water, fantasised about bedtime at 3:47 PM, or felt the weight of “mum” for the 50th time in one hour, this episode will feel like a warm, understanding hug. You are not broken — you are just running low.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognise the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of depletion
• Why rest and recharge are not selfish, but essential
• How to shift out of survival mode into sustainable parenting
• What guilt and shame cycles are really telling you

Plus, a sneak peek of Part 2 — dropping next Tuesday — where you’ll get practical, doable ways to start filling your cup (no, it doesn’t require a spa day or hours of free time).

Join the Conversation:

What’s your “low battery” moment? Share with us on Instagram @ThrivingParentingPod or tag us in your stories.

🔗 Sign up to Thriving Together

https://sleepthrivegrow.com/thriving-together

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 65 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

In this bite-sized but powerful episode of Thriving Parenting, we're challenging one of the most common yet misunderstood sleep strategies: “drowsy but awake.” If you’ve tried this method and it’s leading to frustration, short naps, or endless crying fits—this episode is for you.

Inspired by a heartfelt email from a mum navigating this very challenge with her four-month-old, we unpack why this method can stop working around the time of sleep maturation, how babies interpret safety in transitions, and why it’s not your fault when the method doesn’t stick.

You’ll learn:

• Why babies wake during transfers—even when deeply drowsy
• How their developing brains perceive sudden environmental changes
• Why the shift at 3.5 to 5 months makes “drowsy but awake” unravel
• How temperament, sleep pressure, and developmental stages impact sleep
• Why it's okay to pivot and what to try instead

Host Jen, reassures parents that failing at this method is not failing at parenting. It’s a sign of growth—for your baby and for you.

Learn more about the Thriving Together Membership and the Arms to Cot Coaching Course, now available at a launch discount. You’ll get the step-by-step support to help your baby see the cot as a safe, restful space—without 75 attempts per nap.

🔗 Sign up to Thriving Together

https://sleepthrivegrow.com/thriving-together

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 64 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

In this soul-nourishing episode, we explore the transformative power of music therapy with Tara Del Borrello, a Registered and Neurologic Music Therapist and the founder of Sol Music Therapy. Tara specialises in paediatric healthcare, supporting infants through to adolescents of all abilities—including children with developmental, neurological, and mental health needs, as well as those in oncology and end-of-life care.

Whether your child has additional needs or you're simply looking for more meaningful ways to connect at home, Tara offers a wealth of practical tools, heartfelt stories, and professional insights into how music can become a powerful therapeutic tool for families.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What music therapy really is and how it differs from music education
• How music supports emotional regulation, motor skills, social development, and communication
• Easy ways to use music at home—even if you don’t consider yourself musical
• Why co-regulation and feeling safe are the foundation for any child's development
• The science behind how music activates the whole brain and boosts learning
• How music helps children through medical journeys, including hospital stays and oncology treatments

About Tara Del Borrello:

Tara works at Perth Children’s Hospital in Oncology and Haematology, where she provides music therapy to support children and their families throughout their medical journey. Through her private practice, Sol Music Therapy, she offers both individual sessions and group programs that support early childhood development and infant and perinatal mental health.

Her work is grounded in evidence-based, strengths-based, and family-centred care—tailored to each child’s unique goals and developmental needs.

Where to Find Tara:

In-person sessions:

• Fremantle clinic (Mondays)
• Baby Steps Subiaco (Thursdays)

Website: solmusictherapy.com.au

Instagram: @sol.musictherapy

🔗 Sign up to Thriving Together

https://sleepthrivegrow.com/thriving-together

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

https://sleepthrivegrow.com/post/how-music-helps-you-and-your-kids-thrivenotes: Episode 63 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

In this heartfelt episode of Thriving Parenting, we explore the deep emotional layers often overlooked when trying to solve ongoing baby sleep challenges. If you've ever bought all the guides, tried all the strategies, and still feel stuck, overwhelmed, or on the verge of burnout—this one's for you.

Jen unpacks the hidden reason why strategies fall flat: unresolved stress, nervous system dysregulation, and the weight of doing it all while feeling unsupported. Through personal insight, lived experience, and client stories, she explains why you matter just as much as your baby does in the sleep journey—and how recognising your own needs is the missing link to real, lasting change.

She also introduces the brand-new Thriving Together Membership—a nurturing, non-judgemental space for stressed parents to heal, grow, and finally feel supported. Expect weekly live Q&As, monthly masterclasses, and a village that gets it.

Join now for just $66 for 3 months until 1st June 2025 and lock in this low price for life.

🔗 Sign up to Thriving Together

https://sleepthrivegrow.com/thriving-together

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 62 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers

Is bedtime becoming a battle? You're not alone — and there's more going on than just “over tiredness.” In this bite-size episode, Jen unpacks three surprising reasons your baby or toddler might be resisting sleep right now — and delivers five practical strategies to help you shift from bedtime chaos to calm.

From misunderstood "over tiredness" to under-stimulation and developmental leaps, this episode dives deep into why your little one might be struggling to settle — and how you can meet them with compassion, cues, and calm.

You’ll learn:

• Why “over tiredness” is often mislabelled — and what’s really happening in your baby’s body
• How to spot the difference between under tiredness and a growth spurt
• What developmental leaps have to do with sleep resistance
• 5 simple, actionable ways to create smoother sleep transitions (without sleep battles!)

Remember: You're not raising a robot. You're raising a beautifully complex human. Jen’s gentle reminders and expert tips will leave you feeling empowered — not overwhelmed.

→ Join the waitlist for the Thriving Together Membership ($27/month) to grow your self-trust and parenting confidence with ongoing support, deep-dive resources, and a like-minded community.

→ Interested in one-on-one help? Explore the Sleep Godmother Program for 3 weeks of tailored support.

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 61 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

Until next time, Thrivers